High-voltage distributor apparatus and circuits therefor



J. V. SHARP July `14, 1942.

HIGH-VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTOR APPARATUS AND.CIRCUIT THEREFOR Filed Aug'. 7., 1959 `2 sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. fea/5 I ATTORNEY J. v. .SHARP 2,289,888

HIGH-VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTOR APPARATUS AND CIRCUIT THEREFOR July 14, 1942.

2 sheets-sheenl 2' .Filed Aug. '7, 1939 las.

es INVENTOR.

Wl/0% l TToRNEY Sed Patented July 14, 1942 i HIGH-VOLTAGE DISTREUTOR APPARATUS AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR John V. Sharp, Newark, Ohio, assigner to Slayter Electronic Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Application August 7, 1939, Serial No. 288,890

(Cl. 17E- 364) 7 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to high Voltage point to plate electric discharge systems, and more particularly to a mechanical distributor arrangement for high voltage point to plate discharges, and rectifier and inverter circuits operated thereby.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a multiplicity of electric discharge points in cooperation with a plurality of plate or target electrodes with means for distributing the discharges from the points to the different plate or target electrodes in predetermined relation.

Another object of my invention is to provide separate pluralities of electric discharge points in cooperation with different plate or target electrodes and means for directing the discharges from the separate pluralities of points in turn on the different plate or target electrodes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a multiplicity of electric discharge points rotatable in synchronism and separate plate or target electrodes disposed for alternate operation with respect to different groups of the discharge points.

Still another object of my invention is to provide duplicate groups of rotatable electric discharge points in cooperation with a trio of plate or target electrodes one of which is operatively related in turn to each group of discharge points and the other two of which are electrically bonded together.

A still further object cf my invention is to provide duplicate groups of electric discharge points and separate coacting target electrodes, with each group of points alternately operatively related to different target electrodes, and circuit connections to each group of discharge points and the diierent target electrodes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rectifier comprising electric discharge means operatively related alternately to separate target electrodes and energized by an alternating potential in synchronism with the alternate operation of the discharge means in relation to the separate target electrodes, for producing potentials of opposite sign on the target electrodes.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an inverter comprising electric discharge means operatively related alternately to separate target electrodes and energized from a constant potential source, for producing alternating potentials of opposite phase on the target electrodes.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the apparatus and circuits therefor hereinafter described in more detail With reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partially in horizontal section, of the apparatus of my invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View of the driving mechanism for the discharge electrodes, taken on line 2 2 in Fig. 4; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken substantially on the line 3-3 in Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View on line 4 4 in Fig. 1, with portions of the discharge electrodes broken away and shown in section; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the apparatus of my invention forrectication cf alternating current; Fig. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of one type of discharge electrode adapted for operation in the apparatus of my invention in the rectication circuit of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the apparatus of my invention for inverter operation in changing direct current to alterating current.

The apparatus of my invention operates to produce a continuous silent electric discharge from the points during all phases of its operation. Where alternating potentials are applied to the discharge electrodes, as in Fig. 5, the discharge produced by the positive and negative phases of the alternating potentials are equal in magnitude although dierent in character. When energized at a constant potential, the discharge points emit a uniform discharge dependent in character upon the polarity of the energizing potential. Operation of the apparatus as a rectifier or inverter is effected by a distribution system in which the discharge electrodes are rotated With respect to diierent coactng plate electrodes whereby the emission from the discharge electrodes is received alternately 0n the diierent plate electrodes, the emission being of the same or of different character with respect to the different plate electrodes according to whether the energizing potential is constant or alternating, and, when alternating, Whether the directional alternation of the emission is in synchrcnism with the alternating energizing potential.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character l denotes a base member and 2 a top member, of insulation material, having inset bearing means indicated generally at 3 for supporting a plurality of discharge electrodes in separate groups, those constituting one group being indicated generally at 4 and those in the ether group at 5. In th'e form of my invention illustrated, a trio of plate or target electrodes is provided at 6, 1 and 8, each plate being supported between the base and top members I and 2 in coacting relation in respect to the discharge electrodes, plates 6 and 1 being cooperative with electrodes 4 as alternative targets therefor, and plates 1 and 8 with electrodes 5 as alternate targets therefor. The common plate 1 is mounted intermediate the two groups 4 and 5, and the electrodes of the respective groups are arranged generally in the same direction, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, so that both groups do not coact simultaneously with respect to target electrode 1 Each of the discharge electrodes 4 and 5 has a self contained bus bar connector, I4 and I5, respectively, which extends from either end thereof and affords a mounting means for the electrode by engaging the inset bearing means 3, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The upper ends of the connectors extend through the top member 2 where a brush contact arrangement makes electrical connection in common to the electrodes in each group. One arrangement including spring contacts indicated generally at 9 extending from a bus I makes contact with the bus bar connectors I4 of group 4, and a similar arrangement including spring contacts II extending from a bus I2 makes contact with the bus bar connectors I5 of group 5.

The lower ends of the bus bar connectors I4 and i5 extend through the lower member I and are coupled through individual insulators indicated generally at I5 with separate driving gears indicated generally at I1. Idler gears I8 are provided intermediate the gears I1 to provide the same direction of rotation in the various electrodes of each group, as shown particularly in Fig. 2. Motor I3, Fig. 2, drives a shaft 20 through a worm and gear combination 2|, for speed reduction, and gear 22 on the shaft 20 is engaged with gears 23 and 24 for driving the gear trains I1-I8 and moving the electrodes 4 and 5 in synchronized relation and at the same speed.

For operation as a rectifier or as an inverter, the target electrodes 6 and 8, individually cooperative with discharge electrodes 4 and 5, respectively, are electrically connected together and have a common terminal as indicated at 25, Fig. 1, whereas aseparate connection 26 is made to the intermediate target electrode 1.

The discharge electrodes illustrated in part in Fig. 4 and in more detail in Fig. 6, are of a capacitive type shown and described in a cepending application of Willard H. Bennett, Serial No. 256,183, filed February 13, 1939, for Electrical discharge system. The electrode 4 is shown in Fig. 6 by Yway of example, and. comprises the bus bar connector Illsurrounded by a sheath of dielectric material 21, and a streamlined mass 28 of semiconductive material enveloping the dielectric material and having a plurality of discharge points 29 embedded in the reduced edge. The electrode thus has an inherent capacity in the arrangement of the dielectric 21 between bus I4 and the semiconductive mass 28, and such electrode has an operational characteristic when energized at an alternating potential by which the emission is of equal magnitude on both the positive and negative phases of the applied alternating current potential, as set forth fully in the Willard I-I. Bennett application, Serial No. 256,183, supra.

The schematic diagram of Fig. 5 shows the apparatus of my invention, employing the discharge electrode of Fig. 6 connected with a source of high voltage alternating current at transformer 3) for operationas a rectifier. Motor I9 is energized from the same alternating current power source which supplies the primary of transformer 33 with energy at terminals 3I, and the gear ratio between motor I3 and the discharge electrodes is selected so that the electrodes make one revolution during each cycle of the applied alternating current, with synchronism being maintained through the common Source of power. The capacity inherent between the electrodes 4 and 5 is represented in Fig. 5 at 34 and 35, respectively, in the connections from the buses IG and I2. A filter or smoothing condenser 32 is connected across the output terminals which are of opposite polarity for supplying direct current to a load.

In operation, the rectifier of Fig. 5 has alternating current supplied at terminals 3l which produces an electric discharge simultaneously from electrodes 4 and 5, the discharge at each electrode in any instant being different in character depending upon the polarity of the instantaneous potential of the electrode. At one instant the current may loe in the direction of the arrows 36 and 31, arrow 35 indicating that the discharge from electrode 4 to target 6 must be of a positive character while that `from electrode 5 to target 1 is of a negative character to produce the current in conductor 25 in the direction shown by arrow 31.. Motor I9 operates to rotate the electrodes as heretofore described, and'at one half cycle later the electrodes are in the dotted line positions indicated on Fig. 5. The character of the discharge in the respective electrodes has been reversed with the change in instantaneous polarity of the applied alternating current, however, and electrode 4 now directs a negative discharge towards target 1 to maintain the current in conductor 26 in the same direction as arrow 31, while electrode 5 directs a positive discharge towards target 8 to provide the current formerly passing through target Condenser 32 becomes charged, therefore, with constant potentials of opposite polarity at its terminals, and on plate 1 and plates 6 and 8, to supply direct current to a load at terminals 33. Y

The discharge is maintained equal in the positive and negative phases of the alternating potential -by the operation of the capacitances 34 and 35 which function to provide a constant bias potential on the discharge points so that the emission under an applied positive or negative phase of the alternating potential will be the same. A like eifect can be achieved when noncapacitive electrodes are employed by providing external capacitances in the circuit in the positions of the capacitances 34 andv 35, although the particular advantages of an inherent capacity in an electrode of the type shown in Fig. 6 will be lacking. When the apparatus is employed as an inverter, however, it is necessary to use noncapacitive discharge electrodes as the same are then energized at substantially constant potential and the capacitance would block the passage of current to the discharge points.

The inverter circuit is shown in Fig. 1, wherein the discharge electrodes 4 and '5 are energized in opposite polarity from a direct current source connected at terminals 38. In the polarity shown, electrode 4 produces a positive emission and electrode 5 a negative, and the apparatus is so constructed that the current received at the respective coacting target electrodes, 6 and 1 in the instance shown, is substantially the same. This current is delivered to transformer 39, and

is momentarily in the direction indicated by arrow 40. Electrodes 4 and 5 are rotated by motor I9 at any desired speed which determines the frequency of alternation in the current in transformer 39. When the electrodes 4 and 5 are in the dotted line positions the current in transformer 35 is in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 40, as the discharge from electrode 4 is directed to target I and that from electrode to target 8. Capacitances 4I, 42 and 43 are shown in the connections to target electrodes, 6, l and 8, respectively, and may be inherent between the target structure. Any inequality in the discharges from electrodes 4 and 5 to the targets results in the production of a constant potential across one or another of the capacitances which serves as a bias potential to equalize the discharges and the current through the coacting target electrodes, in the manner set forth in a copending application of Games Slayter, Serial No. 254,933, led February 6, 1939, for Capacitive target for electric discharge devices.

By maintaining the electric discharge from the points constant in the operation of the apparatus of my invention, a more uniform functioning of the system is achieved, with the discharge being distributed between alternate target electrodes at a rate dependent upon the mechanical rotation of the discharge electrodes. Losses and other attendant liabilities such as are present in rectifiers and inverters where discharge cut-oir or circuit commutation is involved, are absent in the apparatus and circuits of my invention wherein commutation is effected in the discharge stage without modifying the character or magnitude of the discharge so that a more eiiicient and stable system results.

While I have disclosed my invention in a preferred embodiment, I desire it understood that modifications may be made in the structure and circuit arrangement within the scope of the appended claims, and that no limitations upon my invention are intended by the specific construction illustrated.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

l. Electric discharge apparatus comprising a base member and a top member, target plate electrodes mounted between said members in parallel relation, a plurality of discharge electrodes rotatably mounted in said members intermediate said target electrodes and having a multiplicity of discharge points mounted in parallel relation and constructed to produce a continuous electric discharge, and means for mechanically rotating said discharge electrodes in synchronism for directing said discharge points alternately towards each of said target electrodes.

2. Electric discharge apparatus comprising a base member and a top member of insulating material, target plate electrodes mounted between said members in parallel relation, a plurality of discharge electrodes each having a bus bar connector projecting from each end and a plurality of discharge points mounted in a lateral edge thereof and constructed to produce a continuous electric discharge, means for rotatably mounting said discharge electrodes intermediate said target electrodes including bearings for said bus bar connectors in said members, said connectors extending through said top member, a connector bus mounted on said top member adjacent the upper ends of said connectors and having a brush contact member engaged with each ofsaid connectors for making electrical connection to said discharge electrodes, and means for mechanically rotating said discharge electrodes in synchronism for directing said discharge points alternately towards each of said target electrodes.

3. Electric discharge apparatus comprising a base member and a top member, a trio of target plate electrodes mounted between said members in parallel relation, a group of discharge electrodes rotatably mounted in said members on opposite sides of the middle one of said trio of target electrodes and intermediate said middle electrode and the respective outer target electrodes, each group of discharge electrodes having a multiplicity of discharge points disposed in parallel relation and in the same direction as the points in the other group and constructed to produce a continuous electric discharge, and means for mechanically rotating the discharge electrodes of both said groups simultaneously and in synchronism for directing the discharge points in each group alternately towards the respective outer target electrode and said middle target electrode, with said middle target electrode being alternately cooperative with the discharge points of each group.

4. In an inverter, electric discharge apparatus and alternating current output terminals as set forth in claim 5, With means included With said target electrodes in circuit with said output terminals for equalizing the current in the separate electric discharges of opposite polarities.

5. In an inverter, electric discharge apparatus including a. pair of discharge means each cooperable with a pair of target plate electrodes, a source of direct voltage connected with said pair of discharge means for producing separate continuous electric discharges of opposite polarities, means for mechanically rotating said pair of discharge means simultaneously and periodically to direct a positive electric discharge from one of said discharge means alternately to each of the target plate electrodes associated therewith and a negative electric discharge from the other of said discharge means alternately to each of the target electrodes associated with the respective discharge means, the operative target electrode of one pair and the alternately operative target electrode of the other pair being electrically connected together and the remaining alternately operative target electrodes of the respective pairs being electrically connected together, and alternating current output terminals connected with said target electrodes.

6. In a rectifier, electric discharge apparatus including discharge means cooperable with a pair of target plate electrodes, a source of alternating potential connected with said discharge means for producing a continuous electric discharge, means for mechanically rotating said discharge means in synchronism with said alternating potential for directing the positive phase of the electric discharge to one of said target plate electrodes and the negative phase of the electric discharge to the other of said target electrodes, direct current output terminals connected with said target plate electrodes, and means included with said discharge means in circuit with said source of alternating potential for equalizing the discharge from said means in the positive and negative phases of operation.

7. In a rectifier, electric discharge apparatus including a pair of discharge means each cooperable with a pair of target plate electrodes, a

source of alternating voltage connected with said pair of discharge means for producing a continuous electric discharge, means for mechanically rotating said pair of discharge means simultaneously and in synchronism with said alternating voltage to direct the positive phase of the electric discharge from one of said discharge means to one of the target plate electrodes associated therewith and the negative phase of the electric discharge from the other of said discharge means t0 one of the target plate electrodes associated with the respective discharge means, and alternately to direct the negative phase of the electric discharge from the iirst said discharge means to the other of the target plate 15 electrodes associated therewith and the positive phase of the electric discharge from the second said discharge means to the other of the target plate electrodes associated with the respective discharge means, the target electrodes adapted to receive positive phase of the electric discharges being electrically connected together, direct current output terminals connected with said target electrodes, and means included with each said discharge means in circuit with said source of alternating voltage for equalizing the discharge from said means in the positive and negative phases of operation.

JOHN V. SHARP. 

